Tips to Kick Your Sugar Cravings to the Curb!

Sugary sweet treats have always been my Achilles heel. It’s a comfort thing, an “I had a really bad day” thing, and all things celebratory! A square of Safeway cake? Happy Thursday to me!! (No, not vegan, but remember what I said about being 95% plant-based).

Here’s the thing about processed sugar. The more you have it the more you want it. (Unless you’re my husband, who can take one bite of cake and then walk away. ) And while sweets and treats in moderation is perfectly fine, if you find yourself reaching for a sugary something more than a few times a day you may need a bit of a sugar detox.

Here are some tips to help you ditch the cravings and eliminate processed sugars from your diet. (Note – processed sugar. We’re not talking about sugar from fruits and veggies. Nature’s candy is 100% a-ok!)

Focus on eating whole, plant foods – yes, even bananas.

Out of sight, out of mind. If you have it in your house (for the kids, ahem), place it in a box or basket in a very high cupboard.

If you’re hankering for something sweet, eat a whole piece of fruit.

If hunger strikes, have a glass or two of water. You’ve heard this so many times but hunger and thirst present similarly.

Stay active. Instead of a treat after dinner, take a walk.

Grab a warm cup of tea or take a bath. Sometimes we just need some comfort.

Lean on your support system. Text or call a friend or confide in your spouse. (This is a good reminder that you need a tribe of supportive friends).

Go to bed. When you’re tired it’s easier to reach for quick energy to wake you up.

Tidy up around the house. A clean counter-top, a made bed – these simple things can really give your mood a boost and help you feel in control.

Remember, it takes some time for your taste-buds to adapt, so don’t be surprised if a beautiful, ripe orange isn’t quite the sugar rush you were hoping for. But trust me that if you ditch the processed stuff, soon you’ll be delighted by all of the sweetness that nature provides.